Here’s Why Soda Cans Are Beveled on the Bottom
Updated: Jun. 12, 2024
Save your manicure! Cracking open a cold can of soda just became a whole lot easier.
There’s nothing more aesthetically pleasing than a well-organized fridge—especially the beverage section. Carefully placed bottles are lined like little soldiers. Seltzer waters are turned on their sides in plastic bins. And soda cans are stacked vertically, all to save space and sanity. Corralling bottles and cans in an orderly way makes for a more enjoyable experience when reaching for that thirst-quencher.
You can thank the designers of the aluminum soda can for its clever stacking abilities. But did you know the beveled bottom can be used for another purpose? After watching a genius video on TikTok, we are in complete awe of this particular food and beverage fact. Not only will that beveled bottom save you space, but it can also save your manicure. Read on to find out how.
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Why do soda cans have beveled edges?
You’ll notice two design distinctions of soda cans. One is the indented, concave bottom, which allows the can to withstand a lot of pressure. The aluminum might be thin, but because of this design, it can actually hold up to 90 pounds of pressure per square inch, which is about six times the regular atmospheric pressure. This keeps your can from exploding from the pressure of the carbonation inside.
The second design distinction is the beveled edge, similar to other canned food. A soda can’s beveled-edge design, however, is particularly unique—and aesthetically pleasing. Not only does the can sit nicely on the table because of its beveled foot, but it also allows for easy stacking in tight spaces, like your refrigerator.
TikTok’s dual use for soda cans
Along with a concave bottom to handle the pressure from carbonation and an edge designed for stacking, that bevel has other uses. According to TikTok creator @Jordan_The_Stallion8, it can also help you open another can.
@jordan_the_stallion8 #stitch with @knowledgesaurus #fypシ ♬ original sound – Jordan_The_Stallion8
Here’s how it works: Using the can on top, slide the beveled bottom underneath the pull tab of the can below, then pop it open. Voila! You have an open can of soda without having to dig your nail into the tab or hurt your fingers pulling it down. Genius!
Was the soda can always beveled?
No, and cans weren’t always the norm for drinking soda either. Big beverage companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi finally made the switch to aluminum cans in 1967, leaving those iconic bottles and their pesky tops behind. As cans continued to evolve, engineers looked for ways to make the soda can an easier drinking experience, including creating a beveled bottom that makes it easy to pop open your next can.
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Sources:
- New York Times: “Pepsi-Cola Is Turning to Reynolds Aluminum Cans”
- Guinness World Records: “Coca-Cola fanatic owns world’s largest soda can collection”
